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Biomedical subjects

C Lee

Publications and source records attributed to C Lee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cyclooxygenase knockout mice: models for elucidating isoform-specific functions.

The development of cyclooxygenase (COX) deficient mice has allowed investigation into the individual physiological roles of the COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms. In the following article, the phenotypes of the two Ptgs (genes coding for COX-1 and COX-2) knockouts are summarized, and recent studies to investigate the effects of COX deficiency on cancer susceptibility, inflammatory response, gastric ulceration, and female reproductive processes are discussed. Also, the development and potential uses of mice deficient in both COX isoforms and mice containing only a single copy of one isoform are discussed. Additionally, when the data permit, the effects of genetic ablation of COX activity are compared with those of pharmacological inhibition of COX activity by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The data suggest that prostaglandins derived via the individual COX isoforms have separate as well as common functions. However, for the maintenance of normal physiology, it appears that deficiency of COX-2 has more profound effects than deficiency of COX-1.

Animals

Restricted receptor segregation into membrane microdomains occurs on human T cells during apoptosis induced by galectin-1.

Galectin-1 induces apoptosis of human thymocytes and activated T cells by an unknown mechanism. Apoptosis is a novel function for a mammalian lectin; moreover, given the ubiquitous distribution of the oligosaccharide ligand recognized by galectin-1, it is not clear how susceptibility to and signaling by galectin-1 is regulated. We have determined that galectin-1 binds to a restricted set of T cell surface glycoproteins, and that only CD45, CD43, and CD7 appear to directly participate in galectin-1-induced apoptosis. To determine whether these specific glycoproteins interact cooperatively or independently to deliver the galectin-1 death signal, we examined the cell surface localization of CD45, CD43, CD7, and CD3 after galectin-1 binding to human T cell lines and human thymocytes. We found that galectin-1 binding resulted in a dramatic redistribution of these glycoproteins into segregated membrane microdomains on the cell surface. CD45 and CD3 colocalized on large islands on apoptotic blebs protruding from the cell surface. These islands also included externalized phosphatidylserine. In addition, the exposure of phosphatidylserine on the surface of galectin-1-treated cells occurred very rapidly. CD7 and CD43 colocalized in small patches away from the membrane blebs, which excluded externalized phosphatidylserine. Receptor segregation was not seen on cells that did not die in response to galectin-1, including mature thymocytes, suggesting that spatial redistribution of receptors into specific microdomains is required for triggering apoptosis.

Antigens, CD

Characterization of the Stat5 protease.

Immature myeloid cells have been shown to transduce signals through a carboxyl-terminally truncated isoform of Stat5. This functionally distinct signal transducer and activator of transcription isoform is generated through a unique protein-processing event. Evaluation of numerous cell lines has determined that there is a direct correlation between the expression of truncated Stat5 and protease activity. Moreover, protease activity is found only in the myeloid and not in lymphoid progenitors. To further characterize the protease small quantities have been purified to near homogeneity. Studies on this purified material indicate that the protease has an apparent molecular mass of approximately 25 kDa and is active over a wide range of pH values. The protease will also cleave both activated (i.e. tyrosine-phosphorylated) and inactivate Stat5. Although this activity is sensitive to phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, it is notably not sensitive to several other serine protease inhibitors. Additional studies have led to the identification of the unique site where the protease cleaves Stat5. Mutagenesis of this site renders Stat5 resistant to cleavage. Consistent with the model that Stat5 cleavage is important for early myeloid development, introduction of a "non-cleavable" isoform of Stat5 into FDC-P1 cells (a myeloid progenitor line) leads to significant phenotypic changes.

3T3 Cells

Growth factors in expressed prostatic fluid from men with prostate cancer, BPH, and clinically normal prostates.

BACKGROUND: Although growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, and TGF-beta are important regulators of prostate cell growth in vitro and in animal models, evidence to support their role in human prostate cancer development remains sparse. We previously showed that men without prostate cancer have concentrations of EGF and TGF-alpha in expressed prostatic fluid (EPF) that are individually distinct and stable over time. This study addressed whether growth factor levels in EPF are associated with the presence or progression of prostate cancer. METHODS: We measured levels of immunoreactive EGF, TGF-alpha, and TGF-beta1 in stored EPF samples from three age-matched groups: 19 men with untreated, histologically diagnosed prostate cancer (CaP), 38 with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and 19 with normal prostate glands (NPD). RESULTS: Median TGF-alpha was lower in the BPH group (0.45 ng/ml) than in either CaP (0.63 ng/ml) or NPD (0.58 ng/ml) groups (P = 0.03 and 0.12, respectively). For EGF, the median was lowest in the CaP group and highest in the NPD group (92.5 ng/ml vs. 175.5 ng/ml, P = 0.006). For TGF-beta1, the median level in CaP was 2.7 times higher than the median level among all controls (6.65 ng/ml vs. 2.46 ng/ml, P = 0.002). Growth factor levels were not associated with tumor stage or Gleason score. However, the single case with distant metastases had TGF-beta1 levels 23-fold higher than the CaP median. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that at the time of CaP diagnosis, EGF levels in EPF are significantly lower, and TGF-beta1 levels significantly higher, than normal. Marked overexpression of TGF-beta1 in advanced CaP might be reflected in extremely high EPF levels.

Aged

Anatomical characteristics and three-dimensional model of the dog dorsal lateral geniculate body.

The morphological and laminar characteristics of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN) of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) were studied by three-dimensional computer reconstruction of labeled retinal afferents following intraocular HRP injections. As previously reported, the dog LGN consisted of layers A, A1, C, C1, C2, and C3. Layers A, C, and C2 receive contralateral-eye inputs, and layers A1 and C1 ipsilateral inputs. The dog MIN was found to have four orderly interdigitating layers; layers 1, 2, 3, and 4, medial to lateral. MIN layers 1 and 3 received contralateral inputs, and layers 2 and 4 ipsilateral inputs. Layer 1 had the largest soma of all LGN/MIN layers. LGN layer A was partially separated into medial and lateral subdivisions by a cleft free of somata. The overall three-dimensional shape of the lateral geniculate body was like the letter C, with the convex part of the C directed posteriorly. The relative volume of the MIN was smaller than in the cat; the canine MIN comprised 8.3% of the combined volume of layers A, A1 and the MIN, while that of the cat comprised 14.2% as estimated from Sanderson's map. The volume of all contralateral-eye layers, combining both LGN and MIN, was 31.2 mm(3) (78%), and that for ipsilateral layers was 8.6 mm(3) (22%). The ratio of ipsilateral to contralateral laminar volumes is much lower in the dog than in the cat.

Animals

Narcolepsy in orexin knockout mice: molecular genetics of sleep regulation.

Neurons containing the neuropeptide orexin (hypocretin) are located exclusively in the lateral hypothalamus and send axons to numerous regions throughout the central nervous system, including the major nuclei implicated in sleep regulation. Here, we report that, by behavioral and electroencephalographic criteria, orexin knockout mice exhibit a phenotype strikingly similar to human narcolepsy patients, as well as canarc-1 mutant dogs, the only known monogenic model of narcolepsy. Moreover, modafinil, an anti-narcoleptic drug with ill-defined mechanisms of action, activates orexin-containing neurons. We propose that orexin regulates sleep/wakefulness states, and that orexin knockout mice are a model of human narcolepsy, a disorder characterized primarily by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep dysregulation.

Age of Onset

The AU-rich 3' untranslated region of human MDR1 mRNA is an inefficient mRNA destabilizer.

The human multidrug resistance gene MDR1 encodes a membrane-bound protein, referred to as P-glycoprotein, that acts as a pump to extrude toxins from cells. The 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the human MDR1 mRNA is very AU-rich (70%) and contains AU-rich sequences similar to those shown to confer rapid decay on c-myc, c-fos, and lymphokine mRNAs. We tested the ability of the MDR1 3'UTR to act as an mRNA destabilizing element in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The MDR1 mRNA has an intermediate half-life of 8 h in HepG2 cells compared to a half-life of 30 min for c-myc mRNA. The MDR1 mRNA half-life was prolonged to >20 h upon treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. We constructed expression vectors containing the human beta-globin coding region with the 3'UTR from either MDR1 or c-myc. The c-myc 3'UTR increased the decay of the chimeric mRNA, but the MDR1 3'UTR had no effect. We tested the ability of MDR1 3'UTR sequences to compete for interaction with AU-binding proteins in cell extracts; MDR1 RNA probes had a fivefold lower affinity for AU-binding proteins that interact with the c-myc AU-rich 3'UTR. Overall, our data suggest that the MDR1 3'UTR does not behave as an active destabilizing element in HepG2 cells.

3' Untranslated Regions

Localization in the nucleolus and coiled bodies of protein subunits of the ribonucleoprotein ribonuclease P.

The precise location of the tRNA processing ribonucleoprotein ribonuclease P (RNase P) and the mechanism of its intranuclear distribution have not been completely delineated. We show that three protein subunits of human RNase P (Rpp), Rpp14, Rpp29 and Rpp38, are found in the nucleolus and that each can localize a reporter protein to nucleoli of cells in tissue culture. In contrast to Rpp38, which is uniformly distributed in nucleoli, Rpp14 and Rpp29 are confined to the dense fibrillar component. Rpp29 and Rpp38 possess functional, yet distinct domains required for subnucleolar localization. The subunit Rpp14 lacks such a domain and appears to be dependent on a piggyback process to reach the nucleolus. Biochemical analysis suggests that catalytically active RNase P exists in the nucleolus. We also provide evidence that Rpp29 and Rpp38 reside in coiled bodies, organelles that are implicated in the biogenesis of several other small nuclear ribonucleoproteins required for processing of precursor mRNA. Because some protein subunits of RNase P are shared by the ribosomal RNA processing ribonucleoprotein RNase MRP, these two evolutionary related holoenzymes may share common intranuclear localization and assembly pathways to coordinate the processing of tRNA and rRNA precursors.

Amino Acid Sequence

Butenolide endothelin antagonists with improved aqueous solubility.

Continued development around our ETA-selective endothelin (ET) antagonist 1 (CI-1020) has led to the synthesis of analogues with improved aqueous solubility profiles. Poor solubility characteristics displayed by 1 required a complex buffered formulation in order to conduct iv studies. To overcome the use of specific iv formulations for preclinical studies on additional drug candidates, analogues with improved aqueous solubility were desired. Several analogues were synthesized with substitution patterns that allowed for the formation of either acid or base addition salts. These derivatives had dramatically improved aqueous solubility. In addition, these analogues retained equivalent or improved ETA receptor selectivity and antagonist potency, versus 1, both in vitro and in vivo. Compound 29, which contains as a substituent the sodium salt of a sulfonic acid, has an ETA IC50 = 0.38 nM, ETA selectivity of 4200-fold, and ETA functional activity of KB = 7.8, all of which are similar or superior to those of 1. Compound 29 also has vastly superior aqueous solubility and solubility duration, compared to 1. Furthermore, 29 after iv infusion displays improved activity to 1 in preventing acute hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats with an ED50 = 0.3 microg/kg/h.

Animals

Transforming growth factor-beta in benign and malignant prostate.

BACKGROUND: The present review summarizes the cellular action of TGF-beta in benign and malignant growth of the prostate. METHODS: TGF-beta is a pleiotropic growth factor. It plays an important role in the regulation of growth and differentiation in many cells. In benign prostatic epithelia, its action is mediated through a paracrine mechanism. It inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in prostatic epithelia. It provides a mechanism to maintain epithelial homeostasis in the prostate. In prostatic stroma, its continual action leads to smooth muscle differentiation. This effect of TGF-beta may regulate the development of prostatic smooth muscle nodules in benign prostatic hyperplasia. RESULTS: As prostatic epithelial cells undergo malignant transformation, two major events occur regarding TGF-beta action. These include the loss of expression of functional TGF-beta receptors and overproduction of TGF-beta in malignant cells. The loss of expression of functional TGF-beta receptors provides a growth advantage to cancer cells over their benign counterparts. The overproduction of TGF-beta by cancer cells has a multitude of adverse consequences. TGF-beta can promote extracellular matrix production, induce angiogenesis, and inhibit host immune function. The biological consequence of these activities is an enhanced tumorigenicity in prostate cancer. Results of our recent studies with a rat prostate cancer model suggest that the immunosuppressive effect of TGF-beta seems to be the primary cause of tumor progression. This is because, if these cancer cells were engineered to reduce the production of TGF-beta, tumor growth was inhibited in syngeneic hosts but not in immune compromised hosts. CONCLUSIONS: Our future research should take advantage of this knowledge to devise therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating prostate cancer.

Androgens

The intracellular domain of interferon-alpha receptor 2c (IFN-alphaR2c) chain is responsible for Stat activation.

Type I IFNs activate the Jak-Stat signal transduction pathway. The IFN-alpha receptor 1 (IFN-alphaR1) subunit and two splice variants of the IFN-alphaR2 subunit, IFN-alphaR2c and IFN-alphaR2b, are involved in ligand binding. All these receptors have been implicated in cytokine signaling and, specifically, in Stat recruitment. To evaluate the specific contribution of each receptor subunit to Stat recruitment we employed chimeric receptors with the extracellular domain of either IFN-gammaR2 or IFN-gammaR1 fused to the intracellular domains of IFN-alphaR1, IFN-alphaR2b, and IFN-alphaR2c. These chimeric receptors were expressed in hamster cells. Because human IFN-gamma exhibits no activity on hamster cells, the use of the human IFN-gamma receptor extracellular domains allowed us to avoid the variable cross-species activity of the type I IFNs and eliminate the possibility of contributions of endogenous type I IFN receptors into the Stat recruitment process. We demonstrate that Stat recruitment is solely a function of the IFN-alphaR2c intracellular domain. When chimeric receptors with the human IFN-gammaR1 extracellular domain and various human IFN-alpha receptor intracellular domains were expressed in hamster cells carrying the human IFN-gammaR2 subunit, only the IFN-alphaR2c subunit was capable of supporting IFN-gamma signaling as measured by MHC class I induction, antiviral protection, and Stat activation. Neither the IFN-alphaR2b nor the IFN-alphaR1 intracellular domain was able to recruit Stats or support IFN-gamma-induced biological activities. Thus, the IFN-alphaR2c intracellular domain is necessary and sufficient to activate Stat1, Stat2, and Stat3 proteins.

Animals

Malignant progression of rat Nb2 lymphoma cells: chromosomal alterations and metastatic properties.

Cultured rat pre-T Nb2 lymphoma cell lines have provided a useful model for tumor progression of T-cell cancers. Comparative analysis of the non-metastatic, prolactin (PRL)-dependent parental Nb2-U17 line and its PRL-independent and/or metastatic sublines, can be used in a search for progression-related genomic alterations. In the present study, the PRL-dependent, cloned Nb2-11C and PRL-independent Nb2-Sp sublines were used to examine development of metastatic ability and PRL independence relative to chromosomal alterations. Metastatic ability was determined using Noble rats carrying subcutaneous tumor transplants; PRL dependence/autonomy was checked in culture. Nb2-11C tumor transplants quickly gave rise to morbidity, associated with metastases in kidney and liver. Transplants of the slower growing Nb2-Sp cells showed variable tumorigenicity as metastases developed in only 40% of the rats (in lungs, kidney, stomach). G-banded chromosome analysis showed the Nb2-11C culture had the karyotype of the parental Nb2-U17 line plus an extra chromosome 19, thus, indicating an association between the development of metastatic ability in Nb2-11C cells and trisomy 19. The Nb2-Sp subline was not clonal. Its stemline showed two alterations in the parental karyotype: acquisition of an add(7)(q10) and loss of the extra chromosome add(15)(p12). Additional abnormalities, add(6)(q11) and trisomy 19, occurred in 15% and 5% of the Nb2-Sp population, respectively. Passaging of the Nb2-Sp subline in vivo resulted in generation and/or outgrowth of new sublines, a major one of which showed an apparent transient growth requirement for lactogens. Possible mechanisms underlying the PRL independence and in vivo properties of the Nb2-Sp cells are discussed.

Animals

Fragile X premutation is a significant risk factor for premature ovarian failure: the International Collaborative POF in Fragile X study--preliminary data.

The preliminary results of an international collaborative study examining premature menopause in fragile X carriers are presented. A total of 760 women from fragile X families was surveyed about their fragile X carrier status and their menstrual and reproductive histories. Among the subjects, 395 carried a premutation, 128 carried a full mutation, and 237 were noncarriers. Sixty-three (16%) of the premutation carriers had experienced menopause prior to the age of 40 compared with none of the full mutation carriers and one (0.4%) of the controls. Based on these preliminary data, there is a significant association between fragile X premutation carrier status and premature menopause.

Adolescent

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes to an unmutated tumor rejection antigen P1A: normal development but restrained effector function in vivo.

Unmutated tumor antigens are chosen as primary candidates for tumor vaccine because of their expression on multiple lineages of tumors. A critical issue is whether unmutated tumor antigens are expressed in normal cells, and if so, whether such expression imposes special restrictions on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In this study, we use a transgenic approach to study the development and effector function of T cells specific for P1A, a prototypical unmutated tumor antigen. We report here that although P1A is expressed at low levels in normal tissues, including lymphoid tissues, the P1A-specific transgenic T cells develop normally and remain highly responsive to the P1A antigen. The fact that transgenic expression of P1A antigen in the thymus induces T cell clonal deletion demonstrates that normal hematopoietic cells can process and present the P1A antigen and that P1A-specific T cells are susceptible to clonal deletion. By inference, P1A-specific T cells must have escaped clonal deletion due to low expression of P1A in the thymus. Interestingly, despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of T cells in the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR)-transgenic mice are specific for P1A, these mice are no more resistant to a P1A-expressing plasmocytoma than nontransgenic littermates. Moreover, when the same TCR-transgenic mice were challenged simultaneously with B7-1(+) and B7-1(-) tumors, only B7-1(+) tumors were rejected. Therefore, even though P1A can be a tumor rejection antigen, the effector function of P1A-specific CTL is restrained in vivo. These results have important implications for the strategy of tumor immunotherapy.

Animals

Differential growth rates in stromal cultures of human prostate derived from patients of varying ages.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to attempt to characterize changes in in vitro growth rates and cellular phenotypes of human prostatic stroma associated with aging and/or development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Prostate stromal cell strains were established from 12 tissue donors of varying age. Culture growth rate was determined by cell counts over a 6-day period. Cell phenotype was assessed by immunocytochemical staining for smooth muscle alpha-actin, smooth muscle myosin, and prolyl-4-hydroxylase. RESULTS: Growth rates of prostate stromal strains in vitro varied. Stromal cells derived from aged males with BPH had significantly slower growth rates than cells from younger donors. A positive reaction for prolyl-4-hydroxylase, a mesenchymal cell marker, was present in all cell cultures regardless of donor age. Expression of smooth muscle-specific actin, a nonspecific smooth muscle cell marker, was present in 48-79% of prostate stromal cultures. Staining for smooth muscle myosin, a specific smooth muscle cell marker, was found to vary significantly with age. The percentage of smooth muscle myosin-positive cells derived from males aged 15, 45, 57, and 72 years were 0.70 +/- 0.14%, 2.12 +/- 0.30%, 4.20 +/- 0.89%, and 26.25 +/- 1.0%, respectively. The shape and size of actin- and/or myosin-positive stromal cells from a 72-year-old donor culture were also usually larger and polygonal in shape as compared to thin and elongated shapes in 15-year-old donor cultures. The shape of actin- and/or myosin-positive cells from a 45-year-old donor culture demonstrated both phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in human prostate stromal cells cultured as described, the growth rate decreases, the percent of smooth muscle cells increases, and the cellular shape changes with increasing donor age and/or development of BPH.

Actins

Intracranial hypotension with parkinsonism, ataxia, and bulbar weakness.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension with a previously unreported constellation of presenting features. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Tertiary care center. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: We describe a patient with intracranial hypotension who presented with a parkinsonian syndrome and later development of ataxia and prominent bulbar symptomatology. Headache was not a feature of her initial presentation and was only reported after repeated questioning during later evaluations. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's head revealed findings characteristic of intracranial hypotension. An [18F]fluoro-m-tyrosine positron emission tomographic scan showed normal striatal activity, suggesting intact presynaptic nigrostriatal function. Opening pressure on lumbar puncture was reduced at 40 mm H2O. A source of cerebrospinal fluid leakage was not identified on nuclear cisternography and the patient underwent lumbar epidural blood patching, which resulted in complete resolution of her signs and symptoms as well as in a marked improvement in her imaging findings. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical spectrum of intracranial hypotension can be broadened to include parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and prominent bulbar dysfunction. As with more common manifestations of the disorder, these features may resolve after appropriate treatment.

Ataxia

Cytotoxic sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor-alpha in PC3 and LNCaP prostatic cancer cells is regulated by extracellular levels of SGP-2 (clusterin).

BACKGROUND: SGP-2 is a ubiquitous secreted glycoprotein that prevents cellular apoptosis. This study was carried out to determine the extracellular action of SGP-2 in a model of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-induced cytotoxicity using two human prostatic cancer lines, LNCaP and PC3. These two lines were selected because LNCaP cells are highly sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of TNF, while PC3 cells are resistant to TNF at 24 hr. METHODS: Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of TNF (10 ng/ml). LNCaP cells were treated with varying concentrations of exogenous SGP-2, while PC3 cells were treated with antisera to SGP-2 with and without exogenous SGP-2. Following a 24-hr treatment, cultures were assessed by counting of cell number and by the trypan blue exclusion assay. RESULTS: Western blot analysis of conditioned media revealed that PC3 secreted more SGP-2 than did LNCaP. The sensitivity to TNF in LNCaP cells was reduced by the addition of exogenous SGP-2. PC3 cells became sensitive to TNF when SGP-2 antibody was added to the culture. The effect of SGP-2 antibody on PC3 cells was reversed by the addition of exogenous SGP-2 to the culture. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SGP-2 can act as an extracellular mediator of anti-TNF-induced cytotoxicity.

Cell Death

Development of a bioconversion process for production of cis-1S,2R-indandiol from indene by recombinant Escherichia coli constructs.

Recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing the toluene dioxygenase (TDO) genes from Pseudomonas putida convert indene to cis-1S,2R-indandiol, a potentially important intermediate for the chemical synthesis of the HIV-1 protease inhibitor, Crixivan. A bioconversion process was developed through optimization of medium composition and reaction conditions at the shake-flask and 23-1 fermentor scales. A cis-1,2-indandiol productivity of approx. 1000 mg/l was achieved with construct TDO123, which represents a 50-fold increase over the initial titer. Varying the bioconversion conditions did not change the enantiomeric excess (e.e.) for the 1S,2R enantiomer from about 30%, suggesting that toluene dioxygenase intrinsically converts indene to 1S,2R- and 1R,2S-indandiols at a ratio of 2:1. Further inclusion of the Pseudomonas dehydrogenase gene in construct D160-1 led to the production of chirally pure cis-1S,2R-indandiol (e.e. > 99%) as a result of the selective degradation of the 1R,2S enantiomer, with the overall yield (650 mg/l) proportionally reduced. A single stage process was developed for D160-1 and scaled up to the 23-1 fermentor, achieving a cis-1S,2R-indandiol titer of 1200 mg/l.

Cloning, Molecular